Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 207

If it wasn't for Bruschetta... | #WeeklyMenu Week #236

You know what? I don't even know what that tagline means. Either way, it's Monday again and that means another week of meals for you to wet your pallet.

We've decided to add a kids night to the menu, so now Friday night is all about the kids. The meal will be simple and geared toward the family. Something we can all sit down to and eat together. A lot of the time, I make a separate meal for the boys or severely simplify it for my picky eaters. Its a pain and causes fighting most nights. It would be nice to have the boys seeing that mom and dad like the same things they do, and hopefully it will create a frustration free night, especially after a long week.

Enjoy this weeks menu... and kids night! 

Monday- Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken
Tuesday- Sloppy Joe's 
Wednesday- Beef Noodle Stir Fry
Thursday- Fiesta Chicken
Friday- Chicken Quesadillas 
Saturday- Dorito Taco Salad
Sunday- Leftovers Night

3 New releases that I'm excited for this week

There are some awesome books being released this month. So many that I want to read that this post would be super long if I shared them all. I've decided to give you the three that are being released this week. Three that I've had an opportunity to read already, and I loved them. Make sure to add these ones to your Goodreads shelves, because they are epic!


February 6th,2018
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Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her. 

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

February 6th, 2018
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While lying in the hospital in a place called Kansas, Princess Dorthea of Emerald struggles to regain her memory of the events that propelled her out of the land of Story—and to remember how to get home.

Meanwhile, in Story, Rexi, with the help of Excalibur, continues to gain confidence in writing her own tale as she fights to save the land from the Wicked Witch. But as is always the case with evil villains, she is not to be underestimated. Can Dorthea and Rexi save their home while protecting the prince they both love from getting caught in the crossfire?

February 8th, 2018
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Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice's life on the road, always a step ahead of the strange bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice's grandmother, the reclusive author of a book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate - the Hazel Wood - Alice learns how bad her luck can really get. Her mother is stolen away - by a figure who claims to come from the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: STAY AWAY FROM THE HAZEL WOOD. 

To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began . . . 

6 more weeks of winter?... 6 more winter reads...

Well, Groundhog's day didn't really go as I had hoped. We have six more weeks of winter. It doesn't really seem like it since it is currently sunny and in the 50's as I am writing this, but the Groundhog never lies.... Right? Apparently, Punxsutawney Phil is only 39% accurate at predicting the forecast, so there is still a really good chance that spring will come early.
Since we are "doomed" to some chilly weather over the next 35 days, lets get some winter reading done with these six awesome, snowy reads. 

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1. The Snow Child - Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart - he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone - but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. 
This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place, things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

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2. The Long Winter - The sixth book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s treasured Little House series, and the recipient of a Newbery Honor. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.
The fledgling town of De Smet in the Dakota Territory is hit hard by the brutal winter of 1880-1881. Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, Carrie, and little Grace face the winter as best they can, but soon, blizzards have covered the town in snow that piles up to the rooftops, cutting the town off from supplies and trade. Food stores begin to run dangerously low. To save the town from starvation, young Almanzo Wilder and a friend brave the conditions, set off across the prairie in search of wheat, and return victorious. The town is saved, and the townspeople share in an unusual, but joyful, Christmas celebration.

The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.

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3. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men.
As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

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4. Shiver - For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.
Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. 

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5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, completed in the winter of 1949 & published in 1950, tells the story of four ordinary children: Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy Pevensie. They discover a wardrobe in Prof. Digory Kirke's house that leads to the magical land of Narnia, which is currently under the spell of a witch. The four children fulfill an ancient, mysterious prophecy while in Narnia. The Pevensie children help Aslan (the Turkish word for lion) & his army save Narnia from the evil White Witch, who's reigned over the Narnia in winter for 100 years.
This edition follows the original numbering scheme. Recent publishers have renumbered the volumes so they are ordered chronologically. This was reportedly the author's preference. Other editions number this book as 2. 

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6. Snow Falling on Cedars - Gripping, tragic, and densely atmospheric -a masterpiece of suspense-- one that leaves us shaken and changed.
Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award 1995 and the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award

San Piedro Island, north of Puget Sound, is a place so isolated that no one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But in 1954 a local fisherman is found suspiciously drowned, and a Japanese American named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with his murder. In the course of the ensuing trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than a man's guilt. For on San Pedro, memory grows as thickly as cedar trees and the fields of ripe strawberries--memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and the Japanese girl who grew up to become Kabuo's wife; memories of land desired, paid for, and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbors watched. Gripping, tragic, and densely atmospheric, Snow Falling on Cedars is a masterpiece of suspense-- one that leaves us shaken and changed.

Peace and Acceptance | Differently Wired by Deborah Reber

Title: Differently WiredBy: Deborah ReberGenre: Non-fiction Pages: 256Release Date: April 3rd, 2018Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Summary from Goodreads: A revolutionary book of practical advice and inspiration for parenting "differently wired" kids—kids who are challenged by anxiety, ADHD, Asperger’s, giftedness, dyslexia, or other conditions. Filled with strategies and support, it will help every family discover newfound confidence, peace, and acceptance.
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Review: I have read so many books about Autism and ADHD that I could throw up medical jargon for a year. I find them all to be the same, depressing and full of selfish parents. This book was a refreshing take on the world of parents of "Differently Wired" kids. 
There was hope among the chaos. I felt like I could connect to this mother and I knew all the struggles she was going through, because I had been there too. I don't think the mother asked once, "Why was this happening to me..." but gave the reader a sense that there is an end to all the tough times, you just have to support your child and learn what they need. 
I loved this book and would recommend it to any parent of a newly diagnosed differently wired child, or even to those who have been down that path, but need to know that they are not alone. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Vampire Heir by Juliana Haygert #blogtour and #giveaway

The Vampire Heir
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #1)
Publication date: March 5th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance

A young woman with a secret. A man with a death sentence. And a terrible fate that might destroy them both …
When I was invited to the secretive castle DuMoir, I knew I’d end up dead. The guests might be excited by the exclusive tour around the estate, and the ending ball that concludes it, but I know better.
The castle’s inhabitants are vampires. And they want our blood.
I must find a way to survive their feast, because I’m not here as a clueless visitor. I’m here for a reason. Undercover work can be hard, but I’ve been through worse. That is until I unwillingly become a blood slave to Drake, a mysterious, brooding vampire prince.
Tragedy strikes the castle and chaos arise. Despite the new dangers surrounding us, I soon find out there’s more to Drake than he lets on, and feelings I’m not supposed to have stir in my chest.
But I can’t afford any distractions or everything will be lost. After all, I’m hiding a secret—a dark secret that might save us all … or doom us forever.

Add to Goodreads--
The Witch Queen
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #2)
Publication date: April 16th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Blurb TBA

Add to Goodreads--
The Immortal Vow
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #3)
Publication date: May 28th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Blurb TBA

Add to GoodreadsThe Vampire Heir (Rite of the Vampire Saga Book 1) by Juliana Haygert WON’T have a pre-order!
So if you want to receive a short email notifying you of its release, please fill out this form!

Author Bio:
While USA Today Bestselling Author Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in North Carolina and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
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A threat from Holt's past | Merger to Marriage by Addison Fox

Title: Merger to MarriageBy: Addison FoxGenre: RomancePages: 166Release Date: May 13th, 2018Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Indulgence)
Summary from Goodreads: One night of passion…
Mayson McBride has spent the last decade restoring her family’s magazine empire with her two sisters. She loves what she does, but she can’t shake the feeling something’s missing. Which is why she jumps at the chance–incognito–for a single night of no-strings-attached sex with Holt Turner.

A once in a lifetime connection…

Holt’s been unable to forget the woman he shared one night of explosive passion, and he’s thrilled to get reacquainted with her at a weekend house party. What he doesn’t expect are the immediate feelings of need and desire–emotions he keeps firmly in check–upon their reunion.

A forever commitment…

When Mayson and Holt’s single night together leads to unexpected consequences, both must decide what matters most. Especially when a threat from Holt’s past promises to ruin their relationship before it’s barely begun.

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Review: A refreshing take on an overused romance tale. Sometimes when I read books like this, I get the same story over and over, or the actual story its self is so unbelievable, not even the steamy scenes can save it. This book was a nice change from the everyday mundane. 
We follow characters that have depth and a back story. Characters that feel and love. I really enjoyed this read. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

It's all about the sheet pan | #WeeklyMenu Week #235

Welcome back to Monday. Its been a long hard week around here. The boys have been sick most the week keeping me cooped up in the house with little adult interaction. Fortunately for us, we didn't get the sick too bad. It was mostly strep throat and some bad colds. We are on the mend and will be back to our regularly scheduled programs soon. 

I hope you enjoy this weeks menu...

Monday- Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes
Tuesday- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Wednesday- Tuscan Tortellini 
Thursday- Steak and Baked Potatoes
Friday- Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
Saturday- Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken

Sunday
- Leftovers Night

January Wrap Up

A new year and a whole new list of books to read. Its been a crazy month. I joined a book club and we blasted through a long list of books. I've personally read over 50 books and that number keeps growing. Check out my list of awesomeness on Goodreads. 
Here are a few great reviews I was blessed to read. 


The runners up...


Make sure you check out all of my reviews by clicking here.

Her Own Death | Wicked Charm by Amber Hart #BlogTour

 
Welcome to the Release Week Blitz forWicked Charm by Amber Hartpresented by Entangled Teen!Be sure to grab your copy today! 
Congratulations Amber!   

Nothing good comes from living in the Devil's swamp.Willow Bell thinks moving to the Okefenokee area isn't half bad, but nothing prepares her for what awaits in the shadows of the bog.Girls are showing up dead in the swamp. And she could be next.Everyone warns Willow to stay away from Beau Cadwell—the bad boy at the top of their suspect list as the serial killer tormenting the small town.But beneath his wicked, depthless eyes, there's something else that draws Willow to him.When yet another girl he knew dies, though, Willow questions whether she can trust her instincts…or if they're leading to her own death.

Wicked Charm by Amber Hart Publication Date: January 30, 2018 Publisher: Entangled Teen

Amber Hart resides on the Florida coastline with family and a plethora of animals she affectionately refers to as her urban farm. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She's the author of several novels for teens and adults, including Wicked Charm, the Before & After series, and the Untamed series. Rep'd by Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group.

 
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads   

The Greatest Battle of Her Life | Traitor Born Amy A. Bartol

Title: Traitor BornBy: Amy A. BartolGenre: FantasyPages: 316Release Date: April 17th, 2018Publisher: 47North
Summary from Goodreads: Rebel warrior Roselle St. Sismode returns in the second book of the epic Secondborn series by USA Today bestselling author Amy A. Bartol.
In the Fates Republic…
Firstborns reign supreme.
Secondborns kneel in servitude.
Thirdborns face death.
And Census shadows them all.

Secondborn Roselle St. Sismode was pressed into military service to battle the rebel uprising threatening the society that enslaves her. Now, powerful factions conspire to subvert the lines of succession, positioning Roselle to replace her mother as leader of the Republic’s armed forces. But the woman who bore her would sooner see Roselle dead than let her usurp her firstborn brother’s command.

The deadly war of intrigue between her new masters and her ruthless family is but one conflict challenging Roselle. A soldier for the rebellion has drawn her into a rogue army’s plot to overthrow the Republic and shatter its brutal caste system. Targeted by assassins and torn between allies, Roselle will have her loyalty, love, and honor tested in the greatest battle of—and for—her life. 
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Review: Wow! What a crazy ride. This book started off with a bang and it never stopped. Poor Roselle is being hunted from every corner. I mean, this poor girl can't get a break. At times it felt like there was so much action that I couldn't take a breath, but the story was fantastic and the characters the bomb.
Great second book to an already awesome series.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.